We were considering going to Mexico for a 3 week + holiday over Christmas and New Year but are somewhat alarmed at the news of the above - should we reconsider? What do fellow fodorites think? Would appreciate your imput?
Thanks in advance,

According to the reports it's rival cartels fighting for control of territory & no more likely to involve tourists than usual. If you've enjoyed Mexico in the past, as I have, then continue doing so, as I'll be doing shortly.

Thanks, MmePerdu, much obliged

There is no getting away from the fact that Mexico has seen more than its share of cartel related violence and there are many areas in which tourists are advised not to travel see https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mexico . However Pueblo and Tlaxacala have not previously been associated with cartel violence. I have travel over many parts of Mexico over many months on several trips and have never encountered any problems and have always felt perfectly safe there. We were in Puebla a year ago and loved it. The only violence (fake) we encountered there was at the Lucha Libre wresting - highly recommended.

That said, I would make sure that you keep up to date on government travel advisories as if you do travel against advice , any travel insurance will be invalidated.

14 years living in Mexico & over 100k miles of driving and we still have our heads. FWIW. Some years back, some cartel activity in Puebla due to gasoline theft made some news. But as mentioned above, where you'll be going will be fine. I don't think such violence in that area is setting a trend.

Mexico is a HUGE country. You need to pay attention to which part of it you want to visit. Which state, what national borders you are near. What you plan to see and do.

I have gone to Puerto Vallarta for decdes, no "severed heads" involved. Super safe area for where I go and what I do as a solo female visitor.

Patricia, Where in Mexico are you thinking of going for the holidays?

Contact the national tourist office and have them recommend a location where heads are not being severed or have the least chance of being severed in the near future.

Or reconsider.

On the other hand it's an unusual sight these days, one you're not likely to see outside the Middle East during infidel season -- I'd say go for it.

Strange what some find amusing. I bet the family of James Foley are not laughing..

We were considering going to Mexico for a 3 week + holiday over Christmas and New Year

Why don't you just choose a different area of Mexico? It's a HUGE and diverse country. Much of it without cartel activity or even if so nothing that would likely cross the path with a tourist.

Some areas of Mexico City you might consider avoiding.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5pvdyd0ygo

Whar area(s) would you recommend?

"....- should we reconsider?"

Reconsider.

Strange that #13 quotes a question from another poster yet doesn't provide an answer to that question.

Anyway the BBC link is about anti-gentrification anti- tourism and , it seems specifically, anti American (the latter is hardly surprising given the USA's treatment of Mexican people in the US). Anti tourism protests are not exclusive to Mexico and certainly wouldn't put me off the districts mentioned. They have absolutely nothing to do with cartels placing severed heads by roadsides.